hig-components-system

# Apple HIG: System Experiences Check for `.claude/apple-design-context.md` before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered. ## Key Principles 1. **Glanceable, immediate value.** System experiences bring your app's most important content to surfaces the user sees without launching your app. Design for seconds of attention. 2. **Respect platform context.** A Lock Screen widget has different constraints than a Home Screen widget. A complication is far smaller than a top shelf item. 3. **Widgets: show relevant information, not everything.** Display the most useful subset, updated appropriately. 4. **Support multiple widget sizes with distinct layouts.** Each size should be a thoughtful design, not a scaled version of another. 5. **Deep-link on tap.** Take users to the relevant content, not the app's root screen. 6. **Live Activities: track events with a clear start and end.** Deliveries, scores, timers, rides. Design for both Dynamic Island and Lock Screen. 7. **Stay updated and timely.** Stale data undermines trust. End promptly when the event concludes. 8. **Respect user attention with notifications.** Only send notifications for information users genuinely care about. No promotional or low-value notifications. 9. **Notifications: actionable and self-contained.** Include enough context to understand and act without opening the app. Support notification actions. Use threading and grouping. 10. **Complications: focused data on the watch face.** Design for the smallest useful representation. Support multiple families. Budget updates wisely. 11. **Home Screen quick actions: 3-4 most common tasks.** Short titles, optional subtitles, relevant SF Symbol icons. 12. **Top Shelf: tvOS showcase.** Feature content that entices: new episodes, featured items, recent content. 13. **App Clips: instant, focused functionality within a strict size budget.** Load quickly without App Store download. Only what's needed for the immediate task, then offer full app install. 14. **App Shortcuts: surface key actions to Siri and Spotlight.** Define shortcuts for frequent tasks. Use natural, conversational trigger phrases. ## Reference Index | Reference | Topic | Key content | |---|---|---| | [widgets.md](references/widgets.md) | Widgets | Glanceable info, sizes, deep linking, timeline | | [live-activities.md](references/live-activities.md) | Live Activities | Real-time tracking, Dynamic Island, Lock Screen | | [notifications.md](references/notifications.md) | Notifications | Attention, actions, grouping, content | | [complications.md](references/complications.md) | Complications | Watch face data, families, budgeted updates | | [home-screen-quick-actions.md](references/home-screen-quick-actions.md) | Quick actions | Haptic Touch, common tasks, SF Symbols | | [top-shelf.md](references/top-shelf.md) | Top shelf | Featured content, showcase | | [app-clips.md](references/app-clips.md) | App Clips | Instant use, lightweight, focused task, NFC/QR | | [watch-faces.md](references/watch-faces.md) | Watch faces | Custom complications, face sharing | | [app-shortcuts.md](references/app-shortcuts.md) | App Shortcuts | Siri, Spotlight, voice triggers | ## Output Format 1. **System experience recommendation** -- which surface best fits the use case. 2. **Content strategy** -- what to display, priority, what to omit. 3. **Update frequency** -- refresh rate including system budget constraints. 4. **Size/family variants** -- which to support and how layout adapts. 5. **Deep link behavior** -- where tapping takes the user. ## Questions to Ask 1. What information needs to surface outside the app? 2. Which platform? 3. How frequently does the data update? 4. What is the primary glanceable need? ## Related Skills - **hig-components-status** -- Progress indicators in widgets or Live Activities - **hig-inputs** -- Interaction patterns for system experiences (Digital Crown for complications) - **hig-technologies** -- Siri for App Shortcuts, HealthKit for complications, NFC for App Clips --- *Built by [Raintree Technology](https://raintree.technology) · [More developer tools](https://raintree.technology)*